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Florida's Panama City offers gulf coast deep sea and shore fishing, and party boats make trips accessible even on a strict budget. When planning a party boat trip in the winter or spring, call ahead to make reservations. Florida's beaches are most crowded in the winter and during the spring break months of March and April. While fishing off Panama City Beach, expect to encounter bluefish, snapper, grouper, mackerel, dolphin fish and marlin.

Step 1

Generate a list of questions to ask party boat companies to get the most out of your fishing trip. If you're a relatively new fisher, you'll want to know what type of equipment is provided for you, what type of instruction you can expect from the crew, where the boats will go and how many other travelers you might expect on board. If you're planning to bring children, ask whether the boat's environment is appropriate for them, as some charter boats are less family-friendly than others.

Regardless of fishing ability, ask how long trips last, what facilities are on the boat (such as a snack bar or bathroom), whether you can bring your own gear and a cooler, and what types of fish you might expect to catch.

Step 2

Browse Mariners Guide's list of party boat and charter fishing companies in Panama City (see Resources). You can try the fishing parties listings first, then call charter boat companies if you're not able to find a party boat for your vacation time.

Step 3

Call party boat companies to ask your questions. If you like the captain and you feel the company is a good match for your group, book the party boat and pay a deposit to hold your spot. If you're trying to compare several companies, ask for one or two references, then call the references to get feedback from others who have used that particular boat.

Step 4

Visit the Panama City marinas if you're in Panama City already and you're looking for a party boat, or if you've been unable to make an advance reservation. You can find marina contact information at Mariners Guide. Plan to visit in the early afternoon to catch morning fishers after their return; try again in late afternoon before anglers leave.

Step 5

Approach party boat captains at the marina and ask if you can set up a party boat trip. Depending on their schedule and availability, party boat captains will let you on their next outgoing trip. They may also schedule a future appointment or advise you of another captain who might be able to accommodate your party earlier.

References

Resources

About the Author

A successful website writer since 1998, Elton Dunn has demonstrated experience with technology, information retrieval, usability and user experience, social media, cloud computing, and small business needs. Dunn holds a degree from UCSF and formerly worked as professional chef. Dunn has ghostwritten thousands of blog posts, newsletter articles, website copy, press releases and product descriptions. He specializes in developing informational articles on topics including food, nutrition, fitness, health and pets.

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